FORMER Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett was attacked by thugs with a vicious dog during a train journey before the culprits fled at a Midland station.

Three people, including one female, harassed the actress and used a Staffordshire bull terrier to intimidate her as she travelled on a train through Shrewsbury station to Manchester.

One reportedly screamed at the dog to ‘Get her!’, while another grabbed the animal, lifted it up and waved it in the TV star’s face as the train pulled into the station, according to reports.

The star, 29, who played Jo Sugden in the ITV soap until 2008, had to pull on the communication cord to alert guards who rushed to her aid. The incident happened on Monday on the 3.05pm Carmarthen to Manchester service.